SC asks Delhi police to decide on farmers’ tractor rally of January 26

The Supreme Court on Monday (January 18) said it was for Delhi Police to take a call if farmers’ should be allowed to enter the national capital with their tractor rally on January 26.

The apex court was hearing a plea seeking an injunction against the proposed rally scheduled on the Republic Day. The court said the issue involved a law and order matter. “We are not going to tell you what you should do. We will take up this matter on Jan 20.”

The Delhi Police’s injunction said the proposed rally sought to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of Republic Day.

“You are at liberty to invoke all powers under the law,” the CJI told Attorney General KK Venugopal. “Our intervention has been misunderstood…who will come in the city and who will be allowed will not be seen by us,” a Bench headed by CJI SA Bobde told the Centre.

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CJI Bobde said the matter will be taken up when he presides over a bench with Justice AS Bopanna and Justice V Ramasubramanian. The top court adjourned the matter to Wednesday.

The farmers’ stir concentrated on the outskirts of Delhi will complete exactly two months on January 26. The unions are determined to hold the Republic Day rally, saying the protesters will not carry weapons or indulge in provocative speeches or violence.

The January 26 tractor rally is scheduled to start from farmers’ positions at the Delhi border and return to the same place, said a farmer leader.

“We’ll celebrate the Republic Day with fervour. The rally will move on the Outer Ring Road, which goes around areas like Janakpuri, Munirka, Nehru Place and Tikri. We hope Delhi and Haryana police will not put up restrictions. This will be a very peaceful protest,” said Yogendra Yadav from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

Also read: Protesting farmers decide to ignore NIA summons, term it ‘shameful’

An SC bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde had last week stayed the implementation of the new farm laws till further orders. The bench had formed a four-member committee to resolve the grievances. It said since negotiations between the farmers and the government had been fruitless, a committee of experts might bring about a suitable atmosphere to improve trust and confidence of the farmers.